HIV/AIDS
A formal HIV/AIDS policy aims to combat the spread and minimise the impact of HIV/AIDS on employees as well as promoting non-discriminatory practices. It has been communicated to all existing employees, is available on our intranet and is included in the sign-on pack for all new employees.
In an effort to minimise the impact of HIV on our staff as well as attendant costs to the group, access to free and confidential HIV testing and counselling are provided through an external network of pharmacies managed by Occupational Care South Africa (OCSA). Employees are encouraged to ascertain their HIV status in order to enable them to take responsibility for their health – those whose status is negative are encouraged to adopt safe behaviour to retain this status, whilst those who test HIV-positive are encouraged to enrol on a world-class disease management programme offered by QUALSA. All treatment is confidential and provided free of charge to permanent employees so that they can remain healthy and can work productively for as long as possible.
Ongoing free and confidential on-site HIV counselling and testing continues to be available through the clinic at the head office in Cape Town and features prominently during the group’s annual Wellness Days at the head office in Parow as well as at the regional office in Isando.
Voluntary counselling and testing campaigns, under the banner of “Retailers United Against HIV/AIDS”, provide free voluntary counselling and testing .
An HIV benefit for all Namibian employees, launched in 2008 through a series of information sessions hosted in Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay involving representatives from New Start, a non-governmental organisation as well as the risk equalisation fund, Health is Vital who have been contracted to provide free and confidential treatment for HIV-positive employees through its Vitality programme.